"We have seen anaphylaxis in France with horse and goat meat as well, " Platts-Mills said.
Alpha-gal is unique in that it is the first known case of delayed anaphylaxis, she said.
But they also always carry a shot of epinephrine to self-administer immediately in case they experience signs of anaphylaxis.
The bank donated money to the Anaphylaxis Campaign - which helps those with life-threatening allergies - "as a gesture of goodwill".
Admissions for anaphylaxis and food allergies rose most over the 11 years.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause a person's airways to become constricted, and can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
Another approach looks at antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which recognizes the offending allergenic proteins and is responsible for immediate reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Food-allergy reactions range from hives and eczema to asthma, vomiting and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction in which the body's major systems quickly shut down.
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The only way to stop a life-threatening reaction, called anaphylaxis, is an epinephrine auto-injector, which allergists recommend that everyone with severe food allergies should carry.
Bee and other insect stings are a common cause of anaphylaxis.
Besides anaphylaxis, people may experience other kinds of reactions, Bassett said.
Most who suffer from alpha-gal can attest that waking up in the middle of the night, not from a nightmare, but from anaphylaxis, is quite frightening.
While the Virginia legislation is critical, Maria Acebal, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, wants to raise the discussion up a level.
If you or your child develops anaphylaxis after egg exposure, you or your child will need an emergency epinephrine shot and a trip to the emergency room.
Even if anaphylaxis symptoms improve, you or your child will need to remain under medical supervision for a period of time to be sure severe symptoms don't return.
Some 26% were admitted for anaphylaxis - a sudden, severe and potentially life-threatening reaction, which can cause dangerous swelling of the lips or face and lead to breathing problems.
But for some people, ingesting something that even accidentally touched tree nuts or peanuts could result in anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that can lead to blocked airways, cardiovascular collapse, and even death.
While anaphylaxis normally occurs within minutes or seconds of eating a certain food, this is not the case with alpha-gal patients, who suffer anaphylactic shock anywhere from four to six hours after eating certain meats.
"This is very exciting, clearly, because here we have somebody who can have anaphylaxis and deadly reaction from trace amounts, and you're converting this person into somebody who can tolerate a significant amount of the food, " said Dr. Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, associate professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
Though it is not technically a food allergy, rather an autoimmune disease, celiac disease still falls under the general umbrella of allergies and sensitivities, which is what some believe should be included in the ADA. Other types of allergies, like peanut allergy, can be extremely severe in an immediate way, and quickly lead to anaphylaxis, and death.
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